Our Chapter!
The PennWest Clarion chapter of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA) is a thriving community of aspiring educators dedicated to leadership, advocacy, and service. Through initiatives in professional development, political action, community outreach, and membership engagement, we strive to make a lasting impact on our campus and in the field of education. From hosting county-wide literacy events to organizing regional conferences, our chapter embodies the SPSEA APEX pillars in everything we do. Our submission reflects the dedication, collaboration, and passion that drive us as we prepare to shape the future of education.
Meet the dedicated members who make it all possible! Click the button below to view a full list of our members and explore their profiles.
Our Values!
At the PennWest Clarion chapter of Student PSEA, we are driven by a commitment to empowering future educators through leadership, advocacy, and service. Our mission is to create opportunities for professional growth, foster a strong sense of community, and advocate for the future of education in Pennsylvania.
Guided by the APEX Pillars—Community Service, Leadership & Membership Development, Political Action & Advocacy, and Professional Development—we strive to make a meaningful impact on our campus and beyond. Through hands-on initiatives, collaborative learning, and a passion for educational excellence, we are shaping the next generation of educators.
Meet The 2024-2025 Executive Board!
From DuBois, PA, Hannah Rake is a sophomore majoring in Early Childhood & Elementary Education. She is passionate about Tech Education, leadership, and advocacy. As Chapter President, Hannah has led initiatives like Literacy Under the Lights and the Cardboard Carnival, growing membership and securing funding for impactful projects. Outside of education, she enjoys crafts like crocheting, cooking, baking, and playing video games.
Hannah Rake
President
From Leeper, PA, Olivia Siegel is a junior majoring in Early Childhood Education. She is the Chapter Vice President and is passionate about leadership and community engagement. Olivia’s dream is to teach alongside her mom, who is a first-grade teacher at her home school. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, traveling, coaching soccer, and spending time with friends and family.
Olivia Siegel
Vice President
From Erie, PA, Shauna Gorton is a sophomore majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Social Work. She is the chapter Secretary and is passionate about student welfare in and outside of school. In the future, Shauna plans on working somewhere in western Pennsylvania as an elementary teacher or school social worker. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, being in nature, and playing video games with friends.
Shauna Gorton
Secretary
From Wexford, PA, Cole Clifton is a junior majoring in Early Childhood Education. He is the chapter treasurer and is dedicated to creating environments where all students can feel welcomed and enjoy themselves. After graduation, Cole hopes to teach in a kindergarten classroom where he can help inspire students to do their best work and be proud of it. In his free time, Cole likes to hike, create music, and watch movies.
Cole Clifton
Treasurer
From McDonald, PA, Tony Marin is a junior Early Childhood Education major with minors in Special Education, and Speech Pathology and Audiology. At some point in the future, Tony plans to get a certificate or master's degree in English-Language-Learning/English as a Second Language and maybe one day get his principal papers and doctorate in school administration. He is not only the PACE Director for the chapter but also the PACE Director for the Midwestern Region. In his free time, he enjoys finding new coffee shops, traveling, reading books, and spending time with friends.
Tony Marin
PACE Director
Parker Bishop is a sophomore from Jefferson Hills, PA, majoring in Secondary Education: Social Studies. Parker enjoys video games, spending time with friends, and is an avid volunteer, serving as a poll worker each year to support democracy. After graduation, he plans to become a U.S. History or Civics teacher at the high school level, ideally in the Pittsburgh area, though he is open to teaching any subject in social studies.
Parker Bishop
Co-Historian
From Summerville, PA, Caiden George is a freshman majoring in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. As Co-Historian, he enjoys capturing moments that reflect the essence of this passionate organization. Caiden's dream is to return to Brookville as a high school history teacher, where he hopes to inspire students with a passion for world history. Beyond academics, he enjoys reading, working on photography projects, whether for himself, others, or his local history organization, and spending time with friends and loved ones.
Caiden George
Co-Historian
Emma Peters, a junior from Butler, PA, is majoring in Elementary and Special Education. Emma was inspired to become a teacher because she has a passion for helping young children grow and learn. Becoming an aunt at a young age also influenced her decision, sparking her desire to support and guide children both academically and personally. In her free time, Emma enjoys reading, shopping, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Emma Peters
Social Media & Communications
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Chrissy Boryenace is an instructor at Penn West University - Clarion Campus where she teaches in the Early Childhood Education Department. Ms. Boryenace is Lead Advisor for SPSEA and Assistant Advisor to KDP. Chrissy also facilitates a program called Little Leaders which consists of young girls from PreK to 8th grade who use the biographies of influential women to develop civic engagement and advocacy projects. These Little Leaders have presented at local, state, and national conventions for the past several years, helping teachers learn how to use literature to engage in difficult conversations to change their schools, communities, and world. In her free time, Ms. Boryenace enjoys hiking, traveling, and listening to live music.
Ms. Chrissy Boryenace
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Amy Como is a Professor at Penn West Clarion University, where she teaches in the Early Childhood department. Her expertise is in motor development. Dr. Como also serves as an advisor for the Lambda Eta chapter of KDP, SPSEA, and Little Leaders of Clarion.
She is actively involved in curriculum planning and serves on committees that focus on university/community collaborations. Additionally, Dr. Como has presented at several state, national, and international conferences: KDP, NAEYC, ACEI, PSHA, and CLM. Recently, she Co-Lead with colleagues and the Little Leaders at the 2024 National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) in Boston, Mass.